Suwannee SpringFest 2012 was highly anticipated around the Hometown Homestead. The lineup was spectacular, maybe the best in years. We had our tickets purchased before Christmas and kept the fires burning all winter. Finally on Thursday morning, we packed up Gnometown and headed south from western North Carolina to arrive on the banks of the Suwannee Thursday afternoon.
I was particularly excited to see Hot Buttered Rum. It had been perhaps five years since I was last able to catch them in Asheville. This San Francisco area band just hadn't made it out to the East Coast for a while, and Black Betty and I really missed their high energy, positive vibes, jammy, grass groove. We weren't to be disappointed since they played the little Porch Stage on Thursday night and fired us up with their infectious enthusiasm and great songs.
Next, we caught Great American Taxi driven by Vince Herman. It seems that every time I see them they get better and better. They are certainly hard rocking and soulful, everything you want in a live band. They were joined on stage by Drew Emmitt, Sean Foley, and Zebulon Bowles.
Friday morning we slept in as long as possible before riding our bicycles to the crowded beach on the Suwannee for some cool and refreshing bathing and swimming. It was a good time spent relaxing with family and friends before committing to the many hours of music that we had ahead of us in the Friday lineup.
Black Betty, Michael, and Sam
Suwannee kiss from Melanie
Our big Friday shows were: Hot Buttered Rum, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, The Emmitt Nershi Band, Elephant Revival (1st time for me) Great American Taxi, Jim Lauderdale, and Greensky Bluegrass. We were especially pleased that Greensky Bluegrass had the big Friday night Amphitheater show; they have worked hard, toured hard, and are finally getting the recognition that they deserve. They produced an inspired and ass kicking performance at the crowded midnight amphitheater. I swear I even spotted Billy Nershi dancing in the wings!
Saturday Morning started out with rain and a visit from my sister, niece, and two great nephews, Dutch and Raleigh. Not only was it Dutch and Raleigh's 1st music Festival, it was the first time that Black Betty, Becky, and I got to meet the little fellows, so it was doubly sweet that this all took place at Springfest. The weather soon cleared and we were off to show the boys how to Festival!
Gnometown Gang
Dutch checking out Greensky Bluegrass
Raleigh diggin' the groove
Meadow stage
Our Saturday shows were Darol Anger and Republic of Strings, Bobby Miller and the Virginia Dare Devils, Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, Randall Bramblett and Geoff Achison, The Joe Craven Trio, Donna The Buffalo, Greensky Bluegrass, and Yonder Mountain String Band. As always, it was give and take, it was hard to miss other groups that we would have like to see but choices had to be made.
Paul Hoffman and Mike Devol, Greensky Bluegrass.
Mike Bont, Greensky Bluegrass.
Yonder Mountain String Band closed it down on Saturday night with a kick ass jam with a virtual Who's Who of Springfest musicians. I know I'll skip a bunch but I remember seeing Larry Keel, Vince Herman, Drew Emmitt, Anders Beck, Paul Hoffman, Zebulon Bowles, Sean Foley, Josh Pinkham, Andy Thorn and Wildman Steve on stage. What can I say? It was a great show, great jam, great Suwannee Springfest Saturday night! We joined the huge Amphitheater crowd in dancing, twirling, stomping, and singing along with Vince Herman to the Leftover Salmon anthem, "we gonna rise up...we gonna wake and bake"!
The Yonder Spring Jam
Sunday was cool and breezy in the morning. We were looking for a relaxing day, because we didn't have to pack up and leave like we have at times in the past. We wandered up to see Guy Clark and Verlon Thompson playing the Amphitheater stage. I still have memories of happy times and happy tunes from Guy back in the 1970's. It's all pretty dark these days and Guy has been battling poor health for a few years now. If you've seen him in the last few years, you know what I am saying. Many tears were shed during the show.
Verlon Thompson and Guy Clark.
Dread Clampitt rocked the Porch Stage, and then we hit the Meadow for the fabulous Ralph Roddenbery Band. The Infamous Stringdusters were up next with plenty of hot licks and great tunes, followed by The Mosier Brothers. The Mosiers were joined onstage by the insanely talented cello mad-man Rushad Eggleston and young newcomer, Emily Morris.
Ralph Roddenbery.
Jeff Mosier.
Donna the Buffalo closed the show down on Sunday, as is the tradition. They played several of their hits and crowd favorites and then started being joined by friends on stage. Randy Judy, Verlon Thompson, Sean Foley, Rushad Eggleston, Donna Hopkins, Taylor Martin, Bobby Miller, Ralph Roddenbery and Samantha Jones, and then again with Randy Judy for Seminole Wind. Verlon's rocking cover of a Dylan tune with improvised lyrics and Ralph's wonderful sing-a-long of That's Gonna Leave A Mark were the highlights of the jam. Donna finished it out with one of my favorites, Mystic Waters.
Nephews
Suwannee Chicks
Gnometown Gang, Phil, MDiddy, BB, Becky, Nate
Lilly, Chris, Black Betty, and M Diddy enjoying the Yonder show
Festivarians, Becky, Rex Thompson, Black Betty, Marie
Final Thoughts:
Once again this festival was a wonderful way to start off the season for our family and friends.
I hate that we had friends who couldn't be there. We missed you!
These musicians are among the best in the business. I'm sorry that I didn't get to catch many of the wonderful bands that played. You just can never see them all. Maybe next year.
The crowd is always friendly, accepting, and appreciative. Anyone would have a difficult time not fitting in.
The organization of the festival was as smooth as ever, no surprises, no hassles.
The grounds are always a great place to camp, the river a sweet place to swim. The weather, perfect.
Did I mention Sweet Revenge's apple crisp and ice cream?
Boogie Cat was in attendance, but seemed pretty mellow. It looked like there were several lone dance-masters ready to step in and take his place if he's lost his boogie.
The jamgrass super-group, Emmitt-Nershi Band performed at The Grey Eagle in Asheville on Friday night. It was the first show of their current tour, and they couldn't have asked for a more appreciative and enthusiastic crowd to play for.
Black Betty and I, along with family and friends, staked out the Bill Nershi side of the stage and hung on for the duration. I managed to shoot a few decent videos and enjoyed the wildly exuberant crowd of young music aficionados who clearly inspired the band to give it their best.
The Bristol area band Folk Soul Revival opened and got the house rocking. Emmitt-Nershi played two sets of their original tunes and threw in several interesting covers including Don't It Make You Want To Dance? (Rusty Wier) and encored with Sweet Child Of Mine (Guns And Roses).
It was another over-the-top night of live music in southern Appalachia!
Black Betty and I were thrilled to see one of our favorite bluegrass groups, Town Mountain on the lineup for Del Yeah! over Labor Day weekend in Black Mountain. I managed to shoot this clip of Town Mountain joined by Andy Thorn (banjo) and Tyler Grant (guitar) of The Emmitt Nershi Band.
Asheville's Town Mountain consists of Robert Greer (vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter); Jesse Langlais (banjo, writes a large part of Town Mountain’s original material and sings tenor and baritone); Barrett Smith (bass, guitar, vocals); Phil Barker (mandolin, vocals); and Bobby Britt (fiddle).
We were fortunate enough to be able to attend the first Del Yeah! weekend at the Pisgah Brewery venue in Black Mountain yesterday. It was a wonderful day spent enjoying beautiful mountain weather and listening to superb mountain music. Labor Day weekend doesn't get any better than this; if you missed it, you missed out indeed!
The lineup featured Charlotte rockers The New Familiars, Asheville bluegrass band Town Mountain, Black Mountain's Paco Shipp on blues harmonica, Colorado super group The Emmitt Nershi Band, and, of course, the one and only Del McCoury Band.
The enthusiastic crowd gave their love to Del and the boys. Del summed it all up in the lyrics from "Sweet Appalachia":
I’ve got that sweet mountain soul down in my bones, And I can feel it when I sing them lonesome songs. And I can tell by the way I feel, That it comes from somewhere else, Got that sweet mountain soul down in my bones.
I’ve got that sweet mountain spirit down in my veins, And it flows through my heart like a mountain rain, And no matter where I might roam, These hills and hollers are still my home, Got that sweet mountain spirit down in my veins.
Some people call me Hillbilly, Some people call me Mountain Man, Well, you can call me Appalachia, Appalachia’s what I am.
We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at SuwanneeSpringfest. In spite of a little wet weather and a few manly gusts of high wind, the music went on and the Festivariansfestivalized as only those who are unbathed and barefoot with divine purpose and mystic insight can. We were pleased to be joined by cousin Amy (Amyl Nitrate), Jesse (Fighting Cock), and the one and only SuperChunk. The music kicked ass, the dancing was dirty, and the spirit was alive! Reverend Jeff Mosierlaid down the gospel of Garcia and Boogie Cat proclaimed, "I never eat while I'm on the boogie!" And the Tornado Rider taught us all to "be a vicious bird!" What can I say? I am a believer!
Drew Emmitt and Billy Nershi with Tyler Grant. The EmmittNershi band played like they were on fire!
Mike Merenda (with baby on back) on banjo and his wife, Ruth Ungar (of Mike and Ruthie) with
Jordan McConnell of the Duhks.
Festivarians "Hometown" on "Superchunk", Jesse (sometimes known as "Fighting Cock")and "Amyl Nitrate"
"Fighting Cock" "Amyl Nitrate" and "Black Betty" ponder the true meaning of "I'm a Falcon!"
BlackBetty and I are heading down to the beautiful Spirit of the Suwannee music park in North Florida on Thursday for Springfest. It'll start the 2009 Festival season for us. I'm looking forward to seeing all the great music. (It'll be the first time I've seen Guy Clark since June 1981!)
Suwannee is a great venue, it's usually a smallish crowd, two stages, has a mellow and friendly vibe, and of course the music is great. We bring our bicycles, tent camp, and chill for the weekend. No worries.
We are also looking forward to camping with my AT buddy, Superchunk and also our niece Amy and her boyfriend, Jesse. We should also reunite with other festivarian friends who we see there.
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